Strive for Love: A Reflection
Earlier this spring, a group of students and faculty from Regis High School joined with our brothers at Ignacio House for a community Mass and meal. The following is a reflection from one of the students recapping the gathering and offering his own reflection on transformation.
As a storm growled and nightfall covered the dense city, Thrive For Life welcomed a group of Regians into its newly opened Ignacio House. I felt inspired to attend after hearing Mychal Pagan’s incredibly moving story about how the organization offered him opportunities to pursue his creative dreams through education after his incarceration. Thrive For Life’s mission of providing ex-convicts with quality education alongside other passionate ex-convicts piqued my interest. As any Regian would, I followed my curiosity and stepped inside.
The cool, crisp air filled the bright hallways with the faint smell of fresh paint. As Father Zach invited us into the room in which mass would be held, I immediately noticed the unconventional arrangement of the warmly lit room and people: an altar in the front and two long tables stretched along the middle with three mediating men, one tattooed man particularly standing out. At first, his large frame, inked arms, and cold gaze intimidated me. He introduced himself as Robert and shook my hand. His hand gently shook mine, surprising me. Robert’s gentle demeanor spoke a thousand words that his strength could have never.
Mass began before I could learn more about him. The hymns pacified the anger of the thunder – the troubles of the world seemed to disappear, and only God seemed to matter. Father Zack took advantage of Good Shepherd Sunday in his homily. He beautifully aroused the feelings of unity at Ignacio House and compared them to those we should find in our relationship with God. He reminded me that God gave all of us so much love, and not everybody sees that. We all have the privilege to attend one of the most prestigious high schools in the country, live near or in New York City, and do anything we put our minds to. God gave us so much love—no less than anyone else—yet enough to make anyone feel like they deserve all the love in the world. It is easy to forget that not everybody has realized the presence of God’s love in their lives yet because we are so spoiled by it. After mass, everyone engaged in conversation and I realized that Robert reminded me of that.
Robert had nothing. Drugs, hustle, gangs, guns, murder, blood, status, death. His circumstances led to his tough lifestyle and arrest as a teenager. The system threw Robert into “the hole” where he returned to his element. Drugs, hustle, gangs, guns, murder, blood, status, death. He was addicted to the lifestyle. There was no hope; there was nothing. After nearly two decades of hopelessness, Robert began learning to read philosophy and immediately found solace in God. Reading also sparked his passion for creative expression through painting, and today he is a resident at Ignacio House.
Robert’s vivid paintings of his experiences in jail and the incarceration system expose his darkest thoughts in contrast to his new life. He is currently pursuing a higher degree in the arts while living in God’s example through his expression and vulnerability.
After all, we are all people. No matter our race, culture, circumstances, and luck, we all need love from one another and God. As Regians, we have received so much, and it is our duty to always love those around us, for we cannot truly know who needs it most. I encourage you to follow your curiosity, live in the example of God, our shepherd, and love everyone. The world always needs more love.
